Craft Beer in the Capital
13,300 Brewing Professionals, Exhibitors Convene in Washington,
D.C. for the 2017 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America®
BOULDER, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The
Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade group
representing America’s small
and independent craft brewers—has concluded the 34th
edition of the Craft
Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America (CBC) in
Washington, D.C.
As the largest industry gathering, CBC brought together some 13,300
brewing professionals and more than 900 exhibitors for discussion and
dialogue around America’s craft brewing business and culture. CBC was
last in the nation’s capital in 2013, with 6,400 attendees and 440
exhibiting companies.
Highlights from the 2017 conference include:
2017 Achievement Awards
Three members of the brewing community were recognized and awarded
for their dedication and service.
-
Brewers Association Recognition Award: Vinnie & Natalie
Cilurzo, Co-Owners, Russian River Brewing Company -
Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing: Will Meyers,
Brewmaster, Cambridge Brewing Company -
F.X. Matt Defense of the Industry Award: Matthew McLaughlin,
Executive Director, Mississippi Brewers Guild
Other notable takeaways from this year’s CBC include:
-
Keynotes: Leadership expert Alison Levine drew parallels from
her experience climbing the highest peak on every continent to discuss
how craft brewers can compete in a challenging and changing
environment. Revered brewer Dick Cantwell provided his industry
colleagues with his insights from his long career in the craft brewing
community, offering a message of unity among small and independent
brewers and reinforcing the importance of producing and maintaining
high quality beer. -
Diversity Committee: The BA announced the formation of a
Diversity Committee, with a goal of bringing a more diverse group of
brewers and beer lovers into the craft brewing community. Helmed by BA
Board member Scott Metzger (Free Tail Brewing Company), the committee
is made up of a cross section of industry members of varied
backgrounds and regions. -
Marketing and Advertising Code: The BA updated
its Marketing and Advertising Code to help brewers maintain high
standards and act as responsible corporate citizens. New language has
been included to address that beer advertising and marketing materials
should not use sexually explicit, lewd, or demeaning brand names,
language, text, graphics, photos, video, or other images that
reasonable adult consumers would find inappropriate for consumer
products offered to the public. Any name that does not meet the
Marketing and Advertising Code that wins a BA produced competition
including the Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) or World
Beer CupSM will not be read on stage or promoted in BA
materials, and will not be permitted to use the GABF or World Beer Cup
intellectual properties in their marketing.
Additionally, the BA has convened an Advertising Complaint Review Board
should an issue arise that warrants further review and action.
-
CBC Symposium Beer: Each year the BA works closely with the
local state guild to create the CBC Symposium Beer. Washington, D.C.,
presented an exciting opportunity to collaborate with the D.C.,
Virginia and Maryland guilds and involve area craft breweries. CBC
attendees received a can of Family Tree, a Belgian pale ale whose
recipe highlights the comradery among five D.C.-area brewers—Manor
Hill Brewing, Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, Waredaca Brewing Company and
DC Brau Brewing Company—who got their start at Flying Dog Brewery. -
Government Affairs: More than 230 brewers, brewery owners and
state guild representatives participated in the CBC Hill Climb,
talking with Congressional staff about legislation important to the
brewing community including the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax
Reform Act. Introduced at the beginning of the 115th Congress, this
legislation would lower the federal excise tax paid by craft brewers.
Brewers explained that a recalibration of the tax rate would allow
them to reinvest in their companies, creating the opportunity for more
local manufacturing jobs.
The 2018 CBC will be held in Nashville, Tennessee from April 30 – May 3,
in conjunction with the 2018 World
Beer Cup, the most prestigious beer competition in the world. The BA
will be back in D.C. this June 2 and 3, 2017 for SAVORSM,
the premier craft beer and food pairing event in the country, featuring
86 small and independent craft brewers from all over the U.S.
Note: Press photos from the event available for editorial use can
be found on the Craft
Brewers Conference website.
About the Brewers Association
The Brewers Association is the not-for-profit trade association
dedicated to small
and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of
brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association (BA) represents more than
70 percent of the brewing industry, and its members make more than 99
percent of the beer brewed in the U.S. The BA organizes events including
the World
Beer CupSM, Great
American Beer Festival®, Craft
Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America®, SAVOR℠:
An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, Homebrew
Con, National
Homebrew Competition and American
Craft Beer Week®. The
BA publishes The
New Brewer magazine and its Brewers
Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and
relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and homebrewers.
Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft
beer at CraftBeer.com and
about homebrewing via the BA’s American
Homebrewers Association and the free Brew
Guru™ mobile app. Follow us on Facebook
and Twitter.
The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender,
religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or
marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive
Order 11246 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the
Secretary of Labor.
Contacts
On behalf of the Brewers Association
Abby Cohen, 646-695-7044
abby@rosengrouppr.com